AXL ROSE has denied he changed former QUEEN star BRIAN MAY's contribution to the new GUNS N' ROSES album out of "spite" - insisting it sounded good at the time. In 1999 the legendary musician recorded a guitar solo for new track Catcher N' The Rye, which features on the band's long-awaited new LP, Chinese Democracy.

May's efforts were subsequently edited beyond recognition, with the star insisting "it was a shame" to see his work go to waste.

Frontman Rose admits the end result - a combination of different edits in the studio with producer Sean Beavan - was a shock to May when he heard the playback.

He writes on the band's official website, "There's a few reasons (why May's part was edited), and none of them all that big and definitely not in spite or to slight anyone. "Brian's solo itself is a personal fave of mine and I really couldn't understand, as he's such a rock legend, why it wasn't openly appreciated more at the time. (It) had a lot to do with Sean (Beavan) and I and the parts I chose out of Brian's different runs, versions, practice runs. And though Brian seems to have warmed a bit to it, at least publicly, he was unfortunately none too pleased at the time with our handiwork. I remember looking at Brian standing to my left and him staring at the big studio speakers a bit aghast saying, 'But that's not what I played'. "Sean Beavan and I were not in any way trying to mess with Brian, we just did what we do and then try and do our best to stand up for our decisions."

Anyone who does not like the new Queen+PR CD need only to listen to the new GnR CD. The whole CD is way overproduced and is an absolute mess as evidenced by the way Axl butchered BM's solo. You DO NOT edit solos of any kind, especially when it is such a recognizable and universal sound such as the one produced by BM. Not to belabor the whole "Freddie must be rolling over in his grave" reference which has become so popular these days but...Freddie must be rolling over in his grave! "Honestly, my dear Axl, it sounds absolutely dreadful!"

Why does anyone care what the has-been, William Bailey Axl 'f***in' Rose thinks about anything? Brian should never have allowed anything he plays to be used by such a hopeless imbecile! On the contrary, I think 'The Cosmos Rocks' is a fantastic album, and that people should stop comparing the living legend, Paul Rodgers with the legend, Freddie Mercury. It is time for all of us to accept the fact that Freddie is gone, and he's not coming back. We should be honoured that a singer as great as Paul Rodgers wants to sing in a band like 'Queen' realizing that fans will be questioning and judging his every move! Let me be the first to say here, thank YOU, to Paul Rodgers for keeping the dream alive that is 'Queen', and for having the balls to take 'Queen' to the next level! I hope that the Rumours of Paul leaving are just that, rumours, and that we will hear plenty more of him together with Brian's red special in the future! Having said that, should Brian ever consider replacing Paul with a long-time American fan I would be more than honoured! lol Keep on Rockin'!

Now you ask who cares about what Axl thinks? and YOU live in the U.S? Well, when was the last time you ventured into some sort of CD outlet? Did you notice the hundreds of copies of Chinese Democracy, that are moving? And then did you notice the same four copies of TCR that were there last week?

THAT'S who cares. Sorry Brian. Should've asked Axl to sing if you wanted to sell zillions. If you want to guarantee a platinum multi-times seller, next time try:

Why does anyone care what the has-been, William Bailey Axl 'f***in' Rose thinks about anything? Brian should never have allowed anything he plays to be used by such a hopeless imbecile! On the contrary, I think 'The Cosmos Rocks' is a fantastic album, and that people should stop comparing the living legend, Paul Rodgers with the legend, Freddie Mercury. It is time for all of us to accept the fact that Freddie is gone, and he's not coming back. We should be honoured that a singer as great as Paul Rodgers wants to sing in a band like 'Queen' realizing that fans will be questioning and judging his every move! Let me be the first to say here, thank YOU, to Paul Rodgers for keeping the dream alive that is 'Queen', and for having the balls to take 'Queen' to the next level! I hope that the Rumours of Paul leaving are just that, rumours, and that we will hear plenty more of him together with Brian's red special in the future! Having said that, should Brian ever consider replacing Paul with a long-time American fan I would be more than honoured! lol Keep on Rockin'!

Rick [img=/images/smiley/msn/shades_smile.gif][/img]

Paul Rodgers is "NO living Legend". Freddie Mercury is worth more money "dead" than Paul Rodgers will ever be Alive!!

I think Brian needs to stay away from Axl. You don't f* with legends. I think any comparison to the TCR and Chinese Democracy are a joke. TCR is a good album of music that isn't in demand by the masses made by a group of music legends. Chinese Democracy is an album that attempts to appeal to the masses and fails big time. Chinese Democracy may outsell TCR, however it falls way short of it's expected sales. That album is a mess.

Paul Rodgers is a living legend with one of the greatest voices ever in rock music. Freddie is a legend, one of the greatest voices ever in rock music.

I am thankful Q+PR is alive and well and I hope they tour the states in 2009.

I'm agree with the person who say that Paul Rogers is NOT a living legend.Exaclty about that I quarreled with the fools in the bulgarian Queen forum, and finally I said that I don't want to speak with them anymore. Finally, only the time can show who is a legend and who no, but I'm sure one day when everybody's gone, the people will connect Queen with Freddie Mercury and no one singer else. As, for Axl...I don't know.In the 1990's GNR was my second favourite group after Queen.Axl is amusing and inspiritable person with all defects of him.In anyway, I prefer to read about him, than Paul Rogers.